Surprises

This time, there were no rocket starts from back in the pack into the lead, perhaps due to a sizeable number of driver’s having to concentrate on avoiding Raikkonen’s stationary Ferrari first.

As a result, it was then Raikkonen’s turn to demonstrate his Ferrari’s ability to come from dead last after its stall on the grid, to finish 5th. One might also say what a relief it was to see nearly every other car narrowly avoid his machine as they poured around him. In similar events, in other seasons, this kind of occurrence has been a catalyst of immense damage and injury.

Both Lotus were eliminated within 20 seconds of each other on Lap 1, at the first chicane. Grosjean received damage via car-to-car contact, while Maldonado jumped across the first chicane and broke his car’s floor and suspension. For every dollar Lotus wins, Maldonado seems to cost them two.

Disappointments

Closing on Sebastian Vettel, Nico Rosberg’s Mercedes engine grenaded two laps from the end. It was still roiling with smoke as it was hoisted onto the flatbed recovery truck ten minutes later. This unit was only the second engine of the season for Rosberg, demonstrating the marques dominance in not only speed, but reliability compared to its rivals. In comparison, Red Bull were on their seventh unit.

Both McLaren-Honda’s were again massively off the pace. One has to wonder if Fernando Alonso really expected to be fighting for 16th place with a Honda engine this late in the season. Using the team’s own data, the cars lost 3/10s of a second total per lap through Monza’s six turns, while loosing 3 seconds a lap on the straights. Besides’ their petrol engine’s basic power deficiency of perhaps 110hp, Honda’s energy recovery module is just not capable of regenerating power (perhaps another 180hp) to keep up with Mercedes. Result, McLaren faces a total power disadvantage of more than 300 hp.

Move of the race

Max Verstappen seems to be the only other driver on the grid, besides Hamilton, willing to go toe-to-toe under braking. He once again carried off a breathe-holding pass on his favourite victim, Felipe Nasr, this time around the outside of the Sauber driver at the first turn and then through the entire chicane, on his way to 12th from starting last.